RESIDENTS turned out in force to have their say on plans worth half a million pounds to overhaul a main road into Weymouth.

The first public exhibition on the Preston Road proposals was packed out from the minute it was set up at the Spyglass Inn, Bowleaze Coveway.

Dorset County Council has £500,000 to spend on the road system between Chalbury Corner roundabout and the Overcombe corner junction to improve life for pedestrians and cyclists and to slow traffic down.

The funding, which is part of the Weymouth Relief Road package, cannot be spent elsewhere.

Proposals include modifying the Chalbury corner roundabout and Overcombe Corner junctions, adding pedestrian islands and providing cycle lanes.

The work, which will take 12 to 15 weeks to complete, is set to begin early next year following the outcome of public consultations.

Project manager Mike Read said the Preston Road exhibition had attracted ‘too many people to count’.

He said: “It’s very much a consultation exercise, trying to take people’s views, nothing is set in stone.

“Our aspirations are to try and control speed on the road and the level of traffic.

“We want to encourage people where appropriate to use the Relief Road – we also want to try and enhance it for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Mr Read added: “As part of the Weymouth Relief Road bid, a sum was included for measures along Dorchester Road and Preston Road to do environmental work to promote walking, cycling and control speed.”